Good thing in a small bundle

The Mac Mini offers an attractive entry-level computer for PC users contemplating a switch to the Mac

The Mac Mini offers an attractive entry-level computer for PC users contemplating a switch to the Mac

The Mac Mini looks a bit like a small school tiffin box. It is squarish, 6.6 inches in length and breadth, and 2 inches high, the size making it the world's most space-efficient computer. It continues the eloquently simple style of Apple, best seen in the classic iPods. Its smallness may make it difficult for you to believe it is a premium computer.



Apple is promoting the Mini's economy and energy-efficiency as its selling points, and its price (Rs 36,600 and Rs 48,200) also brings it into the radar of PC users contemplating a switch to Mac.

The Mini is Apple's cheapest computer, and it is priced that way because it comes without a screen, keyboard or mouse. Sure, you can get a higher configuration on a PC for that price, but then, remember, you are gaining entry into the snobbish Mac club!

For me, the Mini held some unusual attractions. If you work at two locations (say, home and office), and have a mouse, keyboard and screen at each of those locations, the Mini could well work as a substitute for an expensive laptop. Of course, it means you can't work on the way, which I hardly ever do.

I had been considering a new 17-inchu00a0 MacBook Pro, which costs something like Rs 1.5 lakh, but when I saw the Mini, I decided here was something I could get for a fifth of the price! I would still get many of the Mac features I am familiar with, and at the same time make peace with my conscience for not splurging.

The Mini features five USB ports (but remember, two will be taken up by your mouse and keyboard) and a Firewire port. You get a choice of 2.0 or 2.6 GH Intel Core 2 Duo processors. I tested the 2.6 GH one, and found it comfortably fast for the music composing programs I use (Reason, Garageband, etc). I had the opportunity of running it on Apple's Cinema Display. Coupled with the Mini's NVIDIA GEForce integrated graphics, the stunning display enhanced the experience to first class! But that's definitely not an option for the budget conscious, as the Cinema Display costs Rs 60,900.

The Mini comes with the Mac OS X Snow Leopard and iLife, which integrate several applications to meet the browsing, audio, video, and photo needs of a home user. As I said, the Mini could also be an attractive buy for the somewhat more professional computer user who works from home.

Configuration
In India, the Mac Mini comes in two configurations:

2.0 GHz Mac Mini: Rs 36,600
>>2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
>>1 GB SDRAM expandable up to 4 GB
>>120GB hard drive

2.0 GHz Mac Mini Rs 48,200
>>2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
>>2 GB SDRAM expandable up to 4 GB
>>320 GB hard drive

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